Episode 232: PC Build Chaos, GZW 0.4, BF6 Hopes, Steam Wishlist Fever, and Sweeney vs Steam

Jay and Karl return with a slightly chaotic, very relatable week in tech and gaming. From PC build meltdowns to hands-on impressions of GZW 0.4, early Battlefield 6 hopes, and a tour through the growing Steam wishlists. Plus, Tim Sweeney sparks a fresh debate over Steam’s approach to labelling AI-powered games.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-232/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

PC Build Woes

• A week filled with BIOS confusion, missing video output, questionable cables, and the classic “is it the RAM?” spiral.

Game Talk

• GZW 0.4 — new update, new chaos, new war stories.
• Battlefield 6 — early hopes, concerns, and wishlist features.
• Steam Wishlist Picks — the games Jay and Karl are watching closely.

Industry Chat

• Tim Sweeney vs Steam AI labels — Sweeney pushes back as Valve formalises labelling rules for AI-generated content.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 231: Cleared Hot Lands, RAM Prices Go Wild, Nvidia’s VRAM Gamble, and Intel’s Nova Lake Strikes Back

Jay and Karl return with a packed week of tech news — from the long-awaited launch of Cleared Hot to RAM shortages so extreme shops are pricing modules like luxury seafood. Nvidia flirts with dropping VRAM bundles, Intel fires back at AMD with an absurdly specced Nova Lake chip, and Apple rumours round out the show.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-231/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Cleared Hot launches — the long-awaited helicopter sim finally arrives.
• RAM prices surge — shortages push costs high enough that one retailer compares it to lobster.
• Nvidia may stop bundling VRAM — raising concerns over GPU pricing and value.
• Nvidia plays down Google chip threat — insists cloud competition won't dent AI momentum.
• Intel’s Nova Lake strikes back — a monstrous chip with 288 MB vertical cache and 52 cores.

Rumours

• Low-cost MacBook reportedly launching in Q1 2026.
• OLED iPad mini gets fresh launch timing leaks.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 230: Tim Cook Retirement Rumours, iOS 26.2 EU Restrictions, Shed Data Centres, Nvidia’s Record Quarter, and iPhone Fold Leaks

Jay and Karl cover a busy week of tech stories — starting with fresh rumours about Tim Cook stepping down in 2026, followed by iOS 26.2 limiting Wi-Fi sharing in the EU. They also look at the viral “shed data centre” slashing bills to £40, Nvidia’s record-smashing quarter, and a new battery detail that could give the iPhone Fold a major advantage.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-230/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Tim Cook retirement rumours — reports suggest he may step aside in January 2026, but not fully retire.
• iOS 26.2 restricts Wi-Fi sharing between iPhone and Apple Watch in the EU.
• The shed data centre — how one man slashed his bills to £40 and heated his home at the same time.
• Nvidia’s record quarter — $57B revenue and “off the charts” AI GPU demand.

Rumours

• iPhone Fold battery leak — early details suggest a major potential advantage over rivals.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 229: RTX 50 SUPER Shortages Loom, iPhone Air 2 Delayed, £220 iPhone Sock Chaos, and Steam’s Surprise Hardware Drop

Jay and Karl break down a chaotic week in tech and gaming — from looming RTX 50 SUPER memory shortages and Apple’s indefinite iPhone Air 2 delay, to the internet melting down over a £220 “iPhone sock”. Plus, Steam’s unexpected new hardware line-up makes a noisy return.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-229/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• NVIDIA RTX 50 SUPER shortages: supply rumours point to memory constraints.
• iPhone Air 2 delayed indefinitely: Apple reportedly pushes the lightweight iPhone out of its roadmap.
• The £220 iPhone sock: Apple’s new accessory sends the internet into meltdown.
• Steam Frame: Valve reveals its unexpected new VR headset hardware.
• Steam Machine: the surprise return of a brand many thought was long gone.
• Steam Controller: Valve resurrects its oddball controller with new refinements.
• Steam Deck 2: still years away — Valve says the tech just “isn’t there yet.”

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 228: Xbox Goes Premium, Galaxy XR Takes on Vision Pro, Apple’s $2B Blow, and the Button-Free iPhone 20

Jay and Karl tackle a blockbuster week in tech and gaming — from Xbox’s “very premium” future to Samsung’s Galaxy XR headset launch. They also break down Apple’s $2B App Store setback, Trump’s quantum ambitions, and the latest rumours about a button-free iPhone 20.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-228/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Next Xbox won’t be cheap: Sarah Bond teases a “very premium, high-end next-gen console experience.”
• Samsung Galaxy XR hands-on: a cheaper rival to Apple Vision Pro, launching today.
• Trump eyes control of quantum firms: pushing Intel-style public–private deals in cutting-edge computing.
• Microsoft makes Copilot “human-centered”: complete with a nostalgic ‘90s-style animated assistant.
• Apple loses UK App Store monopoly case: penalty could near $2 billion.
• Apple’s Services division milestone: now bigger than Disney or Tesla by revenue.

Games

• BF6 thoughts? Jay and Karl share first impressions and what EA’s next shooter needs to deliver.

Rumours

• iPhone 20 leak: Apple reportedly ditching all physical buttons for haptic-only controls.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 227: OpenAI Launches ChatGPT Atlas, Apple Faces Courts and Regulators, and Foldable iPhone Delays Loom

Jay and Karl dig into a busy week in tech — OpenAI unveils its ChatGPT-powered browser, Apple battles lawsuits and EU regulators, and GM continues its war on CarPlay. Plus, fresh rumours suggest the foldable iPhone could be slipping further down the timeline.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-227/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Jon Prosser misses deadline: Apple lawsuit to proceed without his representation.
• OpenAI launches ChatGPT Atlas: a new AI-powered browser built to take on Google Chrome.
• Apple returns to court in Fortnite dispute: the latest chapter in its ongoing App Store fight.
• Apple vs EU war of words: “intrusive burdens” versus “locked-in users.”
• GM drops CarPlay from more cars: citing Steve Jobs as “inspiration” for removing Apple’s service.

Rumours

• Foldable iPhone rumours: screen size leaks and possible delay to launch.
• M5 MacBook Air refresh: reportedly landing in spring 2026.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 226: OpenAI Builds Its Own Chips, Satellite Snooping Scandal, and Apple’s M5-Powered Lineup Arrives

Jay and Karl kick off with a breakdown of the so-called “AI Bubble” before diving into the week’s biggest stories — OpenAI designing its own chips with Broadcom, a satellite snooping scandal exposing private and military data, and Apple’s full M5-powered lineup hitting the market.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-226/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• OpenAI is making its own AI chips: with Broadcom’s help, aiming to reduce reliance on Nvidia.
• Satellite snooping scandal: researchers intercept unencrypted calls, texts, and even military comms with basic gear.
• Apple unveils 14-inch MacBook Pro: powered by the new M5 chip.
• Apple launches iPad Pro with M5 chip: featuring the C1X modem for faster connectivity.
• Apple Vision Pro update: gains the M5 chip, Dual Knit Band, and 120Hz refresh rate.
• Apple unveils M5 chip: the next generation of Apple Silicon driving every major product line.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 225: AMD’s $Mega AI Deal, Intel Collaboration Talks, Qualcomm Buys Arduino, and Discord’s Massive Breach

Jay and Karl cover another huge week in tech — from AMD’s landmark AI deal with OpenAI and early Intel collaboration talks, to Qualcomm’s surprise Arduino acquisition and a major Discord security breach. Plus, could the base M5 MacBook Pro arrive months before its bigger siblings?

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-225/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• AMD and Intel in early-stage foundry talks: potential collaboration could reshape the semiconductor landscape.
• AMD seals multi-year megadeal with OpenAI: involving 6GW of AI GPUs and a possible 10% stake in AMD.
• Qualcomm acquires Arduino: bringing the beloved DIY electronics brand under its IoT and education portfolio.
• Removing 50 key objects from orbit: could cut the danger from space junk in half, researchers say.
• Discord confirms massive data breach: 70,000 ID photos and personal data reportedly leaked.

Rumours

• Base M5 MacBook Pro rumour: could launch months before the M5 Pro and M5 Max variants.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 224: Intel Woos Apple, EA’s $55B Buyout, Qualcomm’s New Chips, and Xbox Price Hikes

Jay and Karl dive into another packed tech week — from Intel’s surprising courtship of Apple and Microsoft’s late Windows 10 concessions, to EA’s massive $55 billion buyout, Qualcomm’s new Windows chips, and the UK government’s ongoing iCloud backdoor demands. Plus, Xbox Game Pass is about to cost you more.

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-224/

Also available on:Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• Intel reportedly courting Apple: a surprising move to rekindle ties and seek investment.
• Microsoft agrees to 11th-hour Windows 10 concessions: easing end-of-life tensions.
• EA’s $55 billion buyout: Madden and FIFA now in the hands of global investors, including Saudi Arabia’s PIF and Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners.
• Qualcomm announces Snapdragon X2 Elite and Extreme: new flagship chips for Windows PCs.
• UK government still insists on iCloud backdoor: privacy debate reignites once again.
• Xbox Game Pass changes: Ubisoft+ Classics joins, but expect a significant price hike for one tier.

Say hello —@WeeklyTechRant | @weeklytechrant.bs

Episode 223: Nvidia Hit in China, TikTok Deal Teased, Windows 10 Support Battle, and Foldable iPhone Rumours

Jay and Karl cover another packed week in tech — from Nvidia’s antitrust setback in China and whispers of a Trump–ByteDance TikTok deal, to calls for free Windows 10 support extensions, a $5B Nvidia–Intel partnership, and Samsung sneaking ads onto fridges. Plus, is Apple’s foldable iPhone really just two Airs stuck together?

Full show notes & links:techrant.online/weekly-tech-rant-episode-223/

Also available on: Apple Podcasts | YouTube

In This Episode

News

• China rules that Nvidia violated antitrust laws: regulators tighten their grip on the chip giant.
• Trump and ByteDance tout TikTok deal: but no official details have been confirmed.
• Consumer Reports asks Microsoft to extend Windows 10 support for free: 400 million PCs could benefit.
• Nvidia invests $5 billion in Intel: teaming up to develop new PC and data center chips.
• Samsung puts ads on fridges: and it could be a bad sign for other appliances.

Rumours

• Foldable iPhone rumours: might look like two iPhone Airs stuck together.

Say hello —@weeklytechrant.bs